Blueberry plant named &#39;FCM12-087&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FCM12-087’ is provided. ‘FCM12-087’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘FL00-180’ (female parent, unpatented, owned by University of Florida and used with permission) by ‘FF-124’ (pollen parent, unpatented). The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ as it grows in Tala, Mexico is distinguished by a spreading growth habit, with slightly weeping laterals, very narrowly spaced internodes, and highly evergreen leaves. The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ has new leaves that are bluish-green in hue and rounded in shape. The flowers of ‘FCM12-087’ are urceolate in shape, and the fruit is firm, large, light blue in color and possesses a flattened shape. The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ consistently produces larger fruit than the standard variety ‘Biloxi’, which is a very desirable characteristic.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/284,549 filed on Oct. 2, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

Latin name of the family, genus, and species: Family—Ericaceae. Genus—Vaccinium. Species—corymbosum hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘FCM12-087’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinct cultivar of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. hybrid) plant, referred to as ‘FCM12-087,’ as herein described and illustrated. The new blueberry plant variety ‘FCM12-087’ was selected near Colima, state of Colima, Mexico in 2012. ‘FCM12-087’ is a commercial variety intended for the hand harvest fresh market. The variety has high vigor and ripens the majority of its fruit later than the variety ‘Biloxi’. The berry of ‘FCM12-087’ has good firmness, strong bloom and light blue color, and a small picking scar on fruit derived from the current season's growth. ‘FCM12-087’ was selected for use in an evergreen production system in areas where zero effective chilling hours may be accumulated. The growing region of Colima, Mexico where ‘FCM12-087’ was originally selected is at a low latitude (˜19.5° N) with a sub-tropical climate. In this region, temperatures rarely fall below 45° F. (the maximum temperature at which blueberry buds accumulate chill units to break dormancy) and day lengths only vary from between 10.8 hours in December to 13.2 hours in June. Under these conditions, many traditional low-chill blueberry varieties (developed in latitudes)25°-35° do not produce flower buds or flowers. In the case of blueberry varieties that do flower under these conditions, the flowers are produced primarily on the current season's growth that is often referred to as a ‘primocane’ in the blueberry industry. The ‘primocane’ inflorescences tend to be very elongated in form compared to the inflorescence produced at higher latitudes from dormant buds, and the fruit often does not abscise well from the pedicel, resulting in a large picking scar which greatly limits shelf life. The blueberry industry in this area is dominated by the variety ‘Biloxi’. ‘Biloxi’ is one of the few traditional low chill varieties that grows well and produces fruit with a good picking scar in this growing environment. However, ‘Biloxi’ often produces an excessive proportion of small, unmarketable fruit. ‘FCM12-087’ was exceptional because it flowered and fruited more than most genotypes but also had larger fruit than Biloxi with a small picking scar. ‘FCM12-087’ also flowers later after pruning than ‘Biloxi’ and produces significant numbers of flower buds in a zero chill climate, resulting in a harvest window that is later and more concentrated than ‘Biloxi’ (which fruits more heavily on primocanes).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Pedigree and History: The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘FL00-180’ (female parent, unpatented, owned by University of Florida and used with permission) by ‘FF-124’ (pollen parent, unpatented).

The cross that produced ‘FCM12-087’ (denominated by the cross code ‘X08-165’) was made in Lowell, Oreg., USA in 2008.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FCM12-087’ was initially propagated by softwood cuttings in 2012. Rooted plants from these cuttings were field planted in Tala, Jalisco, Mexico and also shipped to Lowell, Oreg., USA in 2013. Additional plants have been propagated via softwood cuttings from the plants established in Tala, Mexico in 2014. The plants sent to Lowell, Oreg. were also propagated via softwood cuttings in 2014 and successfully used to establish in vitro culture lines in 2014.

The seedling family that produced ‘FCM12-087’ was initially grown in 50 cell propagation trays and shipped to Mexico in March, 2011 after the plants had reached sufficient size to be field planted. They were planted in a commercial blueberry field near Colima City, state of Colima, Mexico and evaluated for fruit production and quality beginning in December 2011. ‘FCM12-087’ was selected in 2012 because it had large, light blue fruit and good fruit yield in an evergreen, zero chill production system. After being selected in Colima, ‘FCM12-087’ was propagated by softwood cuttings and a ten plant plot was established in Tala, Mexico (near Guadalajara). The ten plant plot was evaluated for fruit quality and yield in comparison to the standard varieties ‘Biloxi’ and ‘Ventura’ beginning in December, 2013. During evaluation in the ten plant plot, it was also observed that ‘FCM12-087’ had very high yield and ripened the majority of its fruit after ‘Biloxi’. It was also observed that ‘FCM12-087’ had good heat tolerance during fruit ripening and it produced fruit that stored exceptionally well. After two harvest seasons of evaluation, the yield and fruit quality of ‘FCM12-087’ were deemed sufficiently good to warrant launching it as a commercial variety.

The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ as it grows in Tala, Mexico is distinguished by a spreading growth habit, with slightly weeping laterals, very narrowly spaced internodes, and highly evergreen leaves. The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ has new leaves that are bluish-green in hue and rounded in shape. The flowers of ‘FCM12-087’ are urceolate in shape, and the fruit is firm, large, light blue in color and possesses a flattened shape. The new blueberry plant ‘FCM12-087’ consistently produces larger fruit than the standard variety ‘Biloxi’, which is a very desirable characteristic.

Plants of ‘FCM12-087’ propagated from softwood cuttings or in vitro are phenotypically stable and exhibit the same characteristics as the original plant. The parents ‘FL00-180’ and ‘FF-124’ have not been evaluated in the same environment of Mexico that ‘FCM12-087’ was selected in. In California, USA ‘FL00-180’ has very evergreen leaves and fruit of ‘FL00-180’ were firm, light blue in color, with an exceptionally small picking scar and thick skin. In comparison to ‘FL00-180’, ‘FCM12-087’ fruit has a larger picking scar. The parent ‘FF-124’ was also not observed in Mexico where ‘FCM12-087’ was selected. In California, USA and Huelva, Spain, ‘FF-124’ was very early ripening and produced light blue fruit that was soft. In comparison to ‘FF-124’, fruit of ‘FCM12-087’ are more firm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of ‘FCM12-087’ grown in Tala, Mexico and photographed on Feb. 24, 2015.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of fruit clusters of ‘FCM12-087’ on the plant, grown in Tala, Mexico and photographed on Feb. 25, 2015.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of fruit of ‘FCM12-087; grown in Tala, Mexico and photographed on Feb. 26, 2015.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of flowers of ‘FCM12-087’, grown in Tala, Mexico and photographed on Nov. 20, 2015.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of leaves and new shoots of ‘FCM12-087’ growing in Mexico showing the waxy surface and slightly blue color of new leaves. Photographed on Nov. 24, 2014.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of leaves of ‘FCM12-087’ grown in Tala, Mexico showing upper and lower leaf surface. Photographed on Nov. 20, 2015.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘FCM12-087’. The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. All measurements are the average of five observations. The plant history was taken on mature plants approximately 2 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tala, state of Jalisco, Mexico unless otherwise noted (observations on fall leaf color and some other traits were collected on plants grown in Lowell, Oreg.). Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tala, State of Jalisco, Mexico. Color designations are from “The Pantone Book of Color” (by Leatrice Eiseman and Lawrence Herbery, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York 1990) unless noted otherwise. Where the Pantone color designations differ from the colors in the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Variety:     -   -   Classification.—a. Family — Ericaceae b. Genus —             Vaccinium c. Species — corymbosum hybrid d. Common Name —             Southern Highbush Blueberry.         -   Parentage.—: a. Female Parent — ‘FL00-180’b. Male Parent —             ‘FF-124’.         -   Market class.—Commercial blueberry variety intended for the             hand harvest fresh market. -   Plant:     -   -   General.—a. Parentage — Female parent ‘FL00-180’             (unpatented) Male parent ‘FF-124’ (unpatented) b. Plant             height — average 115 cm c. Plant width — 108.6 d. Growth             habit — semi-prostrate e. Growth — moderate vigor f.             Productivity — excellent, average of 3.63 kilos per plant,             per season on a 2 year old plant, compared to 1.86 kilos per             plant per season for the commercial variety ‘Biloxi’. g.             Cold hardiness — not determined, likely USDA zone 7 given             southern highbush parentage. h. Chilling requirement — not             determined, estimated at less than 700 hours less than 45             degrees Fahrenheit. Capable of fruiting well with zero chill             hours when maintained in an evergreen state of growth. i.             Leafing — excellent leafing j. Twigginess — moderately             twiggy k. Resistance/susceptibility to root rot (Phytopthora             cinnamomii) l. Resistance/susceptibility to stem blight             (Botryosphaeria sp.) m. Resistance/susceptibility to             Phomopsis Twig Blight (Phomopsis vaccinii) n.             Resistance/susceptibility to Botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) o.             Resistance/susceptibility to Leaf Spot (Septoria spp.) p.             Resistance/susceptibility to Leaf Rust (Naohidemyces             vaccinii) q. Resistance/susceptibility to bud mites             (Acalatus vaccinii). -   Stem:     -   -   General.—a. Suckering tendency — high b. Mature cane color —             Pantone Spinach Green 16-0439 c. Mature cane length —             average of 55 cm d. Mature cane width — average of 60.2             mm e. Bark texture — rough f. Fall color on new shoots — not             evaluated g. Surface texture of new wood — smooth h.             Internode length on strong, new shoots — average of 16.164             mm i. Average number of buds per fruiting lateral — average             of 5.8. -   Foliage:     -   -   General.—a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst— not             determined b. Leaf color (top side) — Pantone Chive             19-0323 c. Leaf color (under side) — Pantone Mistletoe             16-0220 d. Leaf arrangement — Alternate e. Leaf shape —             broadly elliptic to ovate f. Leaf margins — entire g. Leaf             venation — pinnate/anastomosing h. Leaf apices — acute i.             Leaf bases — obtuse j. Leaf length — average of 55.6 mm k.             Leaf width — average of 33.0 mm l. Leaf length/width ratio —             1.68, moderately wide m. Leaf nectaries — absent n.             Pubescence of upper side — absent o. Pubescence of lower             side — absent p. Cross sectional profile — revolute q.             Longitudinal profile — slightly undulate r. Attitude —             porrect.         -   Petioles.—a. Length — average of 3.57 mm b. Width — average             of 2.17 mm c. Color — Pantone Tarragon 15-0326 d. Surface             texture — smooth. -   Flowers:     -   -   General.—a. Time of beginning of flowering — In Tala, Mexico             approximately September 15 depending on timing of previous             pruning. b. Time of 50% anthesis — In Tala, Mexico             approximately October 15 depending on timing of previous             pruning. c. Flower shape — urceolate d. Flower fragrance —             jasmine e. Immature flower color — Pantone Reed Yellow             13-0915 f. Pollen Staining — Good, 95% viable when stained             with acetocarmine red g. Self-compatibility — Poor, based on             2015 trial cross results: 8% of self-pollinated flowers             reached maturity compared to 91% of flowers reached maturity             when pollinated with pollen of ‘Biloxi’.         -   Corolla.—a. Color — Pantone Antique White 11-0105 b. Length             — average of 10.78 mm c. Width — average of 8.59 mm d.             Aperture width — average of 4.31 mm e. Anthocyanin             coloration of corolla at time of anthesis — low f. Corolla             ridges — present, distinct g. Protrusion of stigma — average             of −0.6 mm below lip of corolla (recessed).         -   Inflorescence.—a. Length — average of 46.3 mm b. Diameter —             average of 33.73 mm c. Length of peduncle — average of 31.31             mm d. Surface texture of peduncle — smooth e. Color of             peduncle — Pantone Spinach Green 16-0439 f. Length of             pedicel — average of 10.98 mm g. Surface texture of pedicel             — smooth h. Color of pedicel — Pantone Green Oasis             15-0538 i. Number of flowers per cluster — average of 6.4 j.             Flower cluster density — low.         -   Calyx (with sepals).—a. Diameter — 6.504 mm b. Color             (sepals) — Pantone Lettuce Green 13-0324 c. Calyx surface —             smooth.         -   Stamen.—a. Length — average of 8.52 mm b. Number per flower             — 10 c. Filament color — Pantone Celery Green 13-0532.         -   Pistil.—a. Length — average of 8.53 mm b. Ovary color             (exterior) — Pantone Spinach green 16-0439 c. Style: Length             — average of 6.66 mm.         -   Anther.—a. Length — average of 3.8 mm b. Number — 10 c.             Color — Pantone Burnt Orange 16-1448.         -   Pollen.—a. Abundance — medium b. Color — Pantone Winter             White 11-0507. -   Fruit:     -   -   General.—a. Time of fruit ripening — In Tala, Mexico harvest             can begin in October, depending on timing of previous             season's pruning. b. Time of 50% maturity — In Tala, Mexico             December 5, depending on timing of previous season's             pruning. c. Fruit development period — 45 days d. Mean             harvest date — in Tala, Mexico peak harvest occurred on             February 26, when plants were pruned the previous May. e.             Mean date last pick — In Tala, Mexico the last harvest             occurred on May 1, when plants were pruned the previous             May. f. Cluster density — medium g. Berries per cluster —             average of 5.6 per cluster h. Unripe fruit color — Pantone             Lettuce Green 13-0324 i. Ripe berry color — Pantone Blue Fog             15-4008 j. Berry skin color after polishing — Pantone Shale             19-3903 k. Berry surface wax abundance — good l. Berry flesh             color — Pantone White Jade 12-0315 m. Berry weight — average             of 2.2 g over the course of the harvest season, from 2 year             old plants in Tala, Mexico. n. Berry height from calyx to             scar — average of 11.34 mm o. Berry diameter — average of             15.16 mm p. Calyx aperture — average of 5.20 mm q. Calyx             depth — average of 1.6 mm r. Pedicel length — average of             7.43 mm s. Pedicel surface texture — smooth t. Berry             detachment force — low u. Berry shape — oblong v. Fruit stem             scar — small, dry w. Berry flavor — sweet, mildly             aromatic x. Sweetness when ripe — good y. Firmness when ripe             — very good (1) Acidity when ripe — low (2) Storage quality             — excellent (3) Suitability for mechanical harvesting —             low (4) Self-fruitfulness — poor (5) Uses — fruit production             for the fresh market. -   Seed:     -   -   General.—a. Seed abundance in fruit — low b. Seed color —             Pantone Pecan Brown 17-1430 c. Seed dry weight —             approximately 3 mg d. Seed length — average of 2.00 mm. -   Comparison between parental and commercial cultivars:

COMPARISON TABLE Denomination Characteristic State of State of expression of similar for expression of of candidate variety comparison similar variety variety (FCM12-087) FL00-180 Fruit stem scar Very small Small FL00-180 Leaf shape Elliptic to Elliptic to ovate lanceolate FF-124 Fruit firmness Soft Very firm Biloxi Leaf margin Slightly serrate Entire Ventura Length of Long Short internode 

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘FCM12-087’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 